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Best dorm at University of South Carolina for incoming freshman daughter??

Hello. I posted this, inadvertantly, in a different forum and thought that I'd try to post in the USC forum. Does anyone have any opinions as to the best dorms for incoming freshmen? My daughter is trying to send in her housing application and must list her top five choices. We've looked at the college website and housing brochure, but were hoping to get some opinions from people who have experienced the dorms..... Thanks!

southmom
Capstone was S's 2nd choice for freshman year(but my first choice based on space) but he was admitted to Honors and chose to live in Maxcy,which he loved.Females love livinginPatterson.S had friends living in McBryde, where many of the specialized learning communites are located, and he described it as "jaillike"LOL. He has a female friend this year living in French House which is an underappreciated gem..its an old house on campus with fabulous space.I dont know if its open to freshmen.You dont need to be a french major but must agree to speak french in certain situations in the dorm.
I think they were trying to open up a "green" residential learning community in the Green (or West) Quad that was to be all 4 years but I dont know if it happened yet. Also, most freshmen lke living with other freshmen so they form new friendships easily.

Cathymee: I actually used to live in what is now the French House back when I attended USC in the mid 1980's (used to be called Nada). Those three buildings in a row (one brick and two sided) used to be part of the Honors housing - I would roll out of bed at 7:55pm for my 8pm classes in Gambrell or the business building! (I lived in the brick house on the corner of Gibbes Court). My sister lived in Baker (used to be part of the famed six-pack, now demolished). Thanks for the input about the dorms. So much has changed since I've gone to school there. I went there undergrad (lived in Nada and Bates West) and then grad school (lived off campus on Waccamaw - behind Yesterday's). I believe that my daughter's first choice will be Capstone Hall (if she gets an invite to the Capstone Scholars program) and her second choice will be Patterson. McBride didn't appeal to me because of the fraternities that live there (nothing against fraternities in any way)! Thanks for the info!

My Freshman D lives in South Tower. She has really enjoyed it so far. Due to an extremely late application, she was not able to apply for the honors college or capstone, so she didn't have either of those housing options. She has told me that after visiting the honors dorm and capstone, she is really happy that she is in South Tower. Her favorite healthy dining option, The Patio, is right next door in Patterson. She's also fairly close to the Strom, and the parking garage is right next to her dorm. She will most-likely be admitted to the honors college for the second semester, but plans on staying in her current dorm.

Does anyone know what the major differences are between South Tower and Patterson Hall? I know that they are both large, high-rise, hall bathroom, female dorms. Any benefits to picking one over the other? Thanks!

Also, my daughter says that she might prefer living in a dorm where she can use the stairs instead of waiting for a slow elevator. Any preferences between McClintock, Sims, or Wade Hampton (all on the quad)? Thanks!

I'm a freshman at University of South Carolina right now and I live in Sims. It is BY FAR the nicest dorm on campus for freshmen. It is all girls and suitestyle..so NO HALL BATHROOMS. The rooms are a good size and they are all carpeted. It is also in the best location. Located in the Women's Quad, it is in the center of campus just a walk across the street to the Russel House University Union. I definitely say Sims.

My freshman daughter is in McClintock which is an all girl dorm. Her first choice was Sims but she didn't get in and she does say that Sims is a nicer dorm. That being said the location of the dorm is great right near Russell House and the Library. Also right near Patterson where she likes to eat, she feels the food is a little healthier there. I have to say I was quite surprised at the amount of storage space in the McClintock rooms. Good luck and congratulations. My daughter loves it at USC!

fendrock
even if they pledge, the freshman girls can't go live in the sorority houses... but your concern is valid about where their friendships and orientation of activities would be after being accepted.I can't imagine how it would feel to be the only one out of a suite of 4, say, that didn't partake in the sorority activities. No matter what the girls may say about friendships..the bulk of their social time,especially in those critical first friendship making weeks... is taken over by sorority activities for pledges .

Cathymee is correct, the first few weeks for those girls pledging is hectic and time consuming. I wonder why they conduct their fall recruitment the first week of school when there are so many other activities and adjustments to be made. That being said, D has made some of her deepest connections with girls she met in her dorm that did not "go Greek". She lives in a co-ed dorm (Maxcy). Cousin's daughter (also a Freshman at USC) lives in an all female dorm and has found it a bit isolating (she is not in a sorority) -- but I think a lot hinges on who they end up with as a roommate.

D likes living in Maxcy (probably because she got placed in a spacious and bright corner room) but sees advantages for living in Capstone as well (namely dining facility in the building) and spends lots of time there visiting with friends.

i'm a freshman and live in mcclintock - it was my last choice and for good reason.. first two weeks of school the AC didn't work and our room was 85 degrees. now in the winter, the heat doesn't work and our room is 69 degrees. paint is peeling, closet doors don't stay shut, carpet is gross... you get the picture

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